Authors: Research Scholar Taniya Saha, Dr. Arobindo Mahato
Abstract: The tribal women are one of the most significant contributors to the state’s total agricultural production. For the people of Dhalai district, it is the primary occupation, as well as for other similar districts in Tripura, where agriculture is the main source of subsistence. Tribal women handle all kinds of agricultural activities, ranging from preparation of the land for planting, sowing or transplanting, intercultural, harvesting and post-harvesting activities, animal husbandry, and home gardens. Despite their great contribution to the region’s net output and rural economy, tribal women are underrepresented in agricultural production due to several gender-specific factors, including ownership, credit, extension, technology, and participation in decision-making processes. This study aims to assess the socio-economic status of tribal women involved in agricultural activities with a focus on their participation in the process, access to credit and resources, and problems encountered while performing them. The article will adopt a descriptive and analytical study design to address the hypothesis, primarily based on primary data collected from personal interviews/household survey and secondary data gathered from various government reports, census data, and published literature. It is hypothesized that such factors as education levels, access to credit, training, and other institutional support play a significant role in determining the extent of women’s involvement, productivity levels, and overall socio-economic development. In addition, the research aims to generate sufficient quantitative and qualitative evidence to bridge the existing gap between gender and agriculture, offering policymakers the opportunity to intervene and influence several areas of tribal women’s livelihood, essential for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
